Do's and Don'ts when visiting a Buddhist temple in Thailand

All tourists traveling to Thailand and visiting Buddhist temples should inform themselves before visiting these sacred places.

This article is a good complement to this one, more general about Thailand: Things to do and not to do in Thailand, essential things to know

Some take photos with statues of Buddha in a way that is disrespectful to some Thais.

Some people do not dress appropriately.

Here is a guide on how to be respectful when visiting a temple in Thailand.

These are just suggestions and there are variations.

Be respectful in a Buddhist temple

Do not visit a temple in a state of drunkenness and do not bring alcohol into a temple, it seems logical, but a tourist was recently seen drinking cans of beer within the temple grounds, which shocked many Thais.

See: A tourist shocks Thailand by drinking beer in a temple

Dress properly before visiting a temple

Prohibited clothing in Thai temples

It's hot in Thailand, and Bangkok is considered one of the hottest and most humid cities in the world.

Visitors to the country may struggle to adjust to the heat and opt for shorts and short-sleeved shirts.

However, to visit and experience the approximately 34,000 open temples (temple = wat in Thai) in the country, a certain dress code is required to preserve the sacred nature of Buddhist culture.

And it's not just your clothing that needs to be appropriate; your behavior also needs to be controlled so as not to offend the culture and people.

For women, skirts or long pants that go beyond the knees are required.

You must also cover your shoulders.

Tight clothing that reveals body shapes is not allowed.

Transparent clothing, such as sleeveless tops, are also not allowed because they reveal too much skin.

Men have the same requirements as women, they must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves (short or long).

Some temples are stricter than others, such as Wat Phra Kaew, but the recommendations to remain covered are acceptable in all temples in Thailand.

But don't worry if you come to Thailand and forget to bring long clothes, because it's very hot here and most Thais understand that you may not be acclimated.

To show their understanding and tolerance, many large temples have clothes available that you can wear for a modest sum.

Before entering the temple, it is essential to remove your shoes at the door.

You won't have trouble understanding this by seeing the shoes of other visitors at the entrance.

Out of respect, you should also remove your hat and sunglasses.

But it is not necessary to remove your socks, you can wear them in the temples.

Do not walk and do not stand on the threshold of the door inside, where the statues are.

Be silent, put your phone on "silent mode"

If clothing is an important element to consider when visiting a temple, it is also important to respect the rules of behavior.

These behaviors include, in particular, remaining silent, as the temple is a sacred place where people come to pray and observe Buddhist rituals.

It will be frowned upon to be too chatty, so keep your thoughts to yourself after leaving the temple.

Do not speak loudly, if you need to speak, speak in a low voice.

Also, don't forget to put your phone on silent mode and ask for permission before taking photos or checking the rules displayed on a sign inside or outside the temple.

If you need to take a photo, do not get too close to the Buddha statue.

Taking selfies, on the other hand, could be considered disrespectful.

Don't point during a visit to a Buddhist temple

As with Thai cultural norms in general, it is important not to point at anything with your finger or foot, especially a monk or a Buddha statue.

People also do not point at others or objects, and instead use their right hand, palm facing upwards, to indicate something.

When you talk or sit next to a monk, you should never sit higher than him.

Women should kneel with their toes pointing behind them, while men should sit with their legs crossed.

Interactions with monks are generally very pleasant, it is essential for women not to leave the monk in a worse state than before.

Indeed, as a woman, you are not allowed to touch the monks.

If you do so, the monk will have to undergo a long purification ritual.

If you need to hand something to a monk, place the object with your right hand and let the monk pick it up.

Women are not allowed to sit next to a monk and in some parts of the temples, they are not allowed to enter.

Respect Buddha statues

The temple itself welcomes Buddhists from around the world and it is important to be respectful in the temples.

Do not touch or climb on Buddha statues, as this is considered disrespectful.

If you are a foreigner and wish to pay homage to Buddha, you can bow before a statue or a monk.

If you want to join the Thai people in paying homage to Buddha, it is customary to make three wai.

The wai is the way Thais greet, thank, and show their respect.

It consists of joining the palms of the hands in a prayer-like motion and slightly bowing the head.

See: Learn to do the wai in Thailand

If there are pillars or statues in the middle of the room, you should normally walk around the sacred objects clockwise only.

Beware of restricted areas in Buddhist temples

It is essential not to enter the areas reserved for monks, called bots.

But it is sometimes difficult to distinguish areas that are off-limits to visitors.

Make donations to the temple if you wish

At the sight of donation boxes, visitors may feel like giving money, but it's okay if you don't.

Other ways to support the monks and temples are to buy trinkets at the temple.

However, be careful before buying Buddha statues, as for some, you may have problems bringing them back home because it is illegal.

Of course, you can buy the figurines sold in tourist stands, but do not buy old and normally expensive statues, as you may then have problems with customs.

As with any visit to a foreign country, it is essential to know and appreciate the cultural traditions and practices of the host country.

In Thailand, as long as you show respect and a willingness to adapt to the culture, there will be no problem, Thai people are known to be very tolerant and understanding.

It is always good to show respect for them by learning a little before entering sacred sites like temples.

See also:

Theravada Buddhism in Thailand, the main religion of the country

The fusion of religious beliefs in Thailand: Buddhism, animism and Brahmanism

Source: thethaiger.com